Community reacts to Scannell verdict; Scannell issues apology

By
KBJR News 1

July 30, 2014Updated Jul 30, 2014 at 10:21 AM CDT

Grand Marais, MN (NNCNOW.com)--- It's a scandal that rocked the small town of Grand Marais Minnesota in Cook County.

"There's so much data about his and hers relationship and how grossly inappropriate it was on so many levels, whether or not they did anything other than kissing, it's still way outside of his bounds," said protestor, Gary Nesgoda .

A jury of nine men and three women deliberated for nearly nine hours, over two days, before returning a guilty verdict against Scannell.

Scannell testified he and the teen would kiss and touch, but nothing illegal happened. For one Grand Marais man, the verdict was right.

"He's totally wrong, what he did was wrong, I think it's absurd," said Perry Wilson, who was in favor of the verdict .

From December of 20-12 to October of 20-13, protestors gathered at the Cook County Courthouse calling for Tim Scannell's resignation.

Gary Nesgoda was one of them.

"We just wanted to make sure he was held to the same standard as everybody else," said Nesgoda.

The protestors have no plan to return saying the system will work itself out. Why the streets around the Cook County Courthouse have grown quiet the town remains divided.

Many people we spoke with off camera say they were either shocked by the verdict, or it was justified.

Tim Scannell has issued a statement apologizing for his actions.

Scannell said quote " I apologize to the young woman involved from the bottom of my being for hurting her in any way and to her family for the pain I have caused them."

He goes on to take full responsibility for the mistakes and the pain that resulted, and asked for forgiveness.

For Nesgoda and Wilson, the apology came a little too late

"I hope it's genuine and that is way more than he has ever said before as far as any kind of apology so that's kind of another thing we were looking for too just some admittance that I did something wrong," said Nesgoda.

"He did what he did, and now he's trying to weasel out of it. There's no apology nothing that will make it right," said Wilson.

Scannell will be sentenced on September 26 in Duluth

The Cook County Board of Commissioners will be holding a special meeting on Thursday to address Scannell's status as Cook County Attorney.